Dynamic Guitar Sounds of the Clee-Shays

AllMusic Review
by Cub Koda

In the long-standing tradition of surf and hot rod instrumental ringers of the 1960s, the Clee-Shays weren't really a group, but rather a studio concoction put together by Challengers drummer/producer/mover and shaker Richard Delvy to cash in on the Japanese secret agent/spy music market made popular by Al Caiola and others. Utilizing Ed Fournier, John Anderson and Bob Edwards on alternating lead guitars, Buzz Carre on bass, and Delvy alternating with Larry Brown on drums, the group ground out albums in session after anonymous session. This 20-track collection cherry-picks the best tracks from their various Japanese albums, with Fournier's originals counting for seven of the selections and spirited covers of "Beyond," "Theme From The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Thunderball" and "Get Smart" also spicing up the mix. As surf-instrumental-type music goes, this is great, ultra-rare stuff, and well worth the listen.